USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 54
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chaney have been born three children. C. E. Chaney, the eldest, who makes his home near New Orleans, is a railroad agent for the Ill- inois Central Railway Company. Albert M., who conducts the home farm, is a breeder and dealer in shorthorn cattle, now having a herd of about thirty, with a full blooded male at the head. He is an alert and energetic young man and is widely recognized as a successful and enterprising citizen. Sally E., the youngest child of our subject, is the wife of J. O. Shawler, who resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Politically Mr. Chaney is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the democ- rarcy but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. While a resident of Dewitt county, however, he served as road supervisor. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Baptist church at Clearfield, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic lodge at Lenox. His son, Albert M., is a Master Mason and belongs to the blue lodge at Clearfield. Green Chaney has now passed the seventy-first milestone on life's journey and receives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honor- able. He is well and favorably known throughout the community in which he has resided for the past eighteen years and the circle of his friends is almost coex- tensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
JOHN C. F. REED.
John C. F. Reed who devotes his time and energies to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising, is the owner of a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Platte township, where he resides, and also has a tract of forty acres in another section. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Union county, this state, on the 26th of May, 1863. His father, J. H. Reed, was born, reared and married in Ohio. In 1852 he made the overland trip to California, spending about two years in the gold mines of that state. His wife passed away while he was in the west and after returning from the Pacific coast he made his way to Union county, Iowa, about 1855. There he opened up a new farm, gradually transform- ing the once barren land into a rich and productive property. Subsequently he disposed of the place and came to Taylor county, where he spent the remainder of his life, his demise occurring in 1885 when he was sixty-nine years of age. He owned six hundred acres of valuable land in this county and was long num- bered among its most prosperous, enterprising and representative citizens. While a resident of Union county he married Miss Demaris Bliss, who was born in the east but was reared in that county. She survived her husband for eight years. By his first wife J. H. Reed had one son, J. H. Jr., who now follows farming in Adams county, Iowa. By his second marriage he had five sons and seven daughters, those still living being: John C. F., of this review; William, a prominent agriculturist of Taylor county ; Truman, a resident of Adair county, Iowa; and David, who lives on the old home place near Lenox.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
John C. F. Reed was reared on the home farm in this county, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assistance which he rendered his father in the work of the fields. When twenty-four years of age he left the parental roof and bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Platte township, where he has since resided and in the cultivation and improvement of which he has been busily en- gaged to the present time. He built a commodious and substantial two-story residence, two large barns and good outbuildings and also planted an orchard and a fine grove of maple trees. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he also raises and feeds hogs and horses, both branches of his business returning to him a gratify- ing annual income. About 1898 he purchased an additional tract of forty acres in this county and also owns one hundred and sixty acres of pasture land in Ringgold county. As the years have gone by his capable management and energy have brought to him well earned and justly merited success and he is widely recognized as a most progressive and substantial citizen.
On the 19th of December, 1888, in Adams county, Iowa, Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Lenora A. Custer, who was born in Henry county, this state, but was reared in Adams county. They now have a family of six sons and two daughters, as follows: Harry, Alpha E., Ralph E., Glen C., Adis M., Harley O., Mary E. and Helen A. Mr. and Mrs. Reed lost a daughter, Lola E., who died at the age of two years.
In his political views Mr. Reed is a stanch republican and has capably served in the office of road supervisor, while at the present time he is a member of the school board, with which he has been connected for some years. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen at Clearfield, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Calvary Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also affiliated. Long a resident of Taylor county, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in his citizenship and in his business relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good will of his fellow townsmen.
FRANK L. BLAKEMORE.
Frank L. Blakemore, who was formerly actively identified with the farming interests of Jefferson township and Taylor county, has since 1891 lived retired in a nice home in Blockton and is numbered among her best citizens. He is also an honored veteran of the Civil war, giving valiant service to his country during its darkest days. Mr. Blakemore was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on Christmas day of 1842, a son of William H. and Anne (Milliken) Blakemore, the former born in Virginia and the latter a native of the Buckeye state. The father came to Ohio when a young man and locating in Fayette county, there developed a wild tract of land and became one of the substantial farmers of that section of the state. Prominent in public life he served as sheriff of Fayette county, for several years. Eventually, he and his wife removed to Washington Court- house, where Mrs. Blakemore departed this life.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
It was on the home farm in Fayette county that Frank L. Blakemore was reared, while his education was acquired in the common schools of the neigh- borhood. He was a young man of nineteen years, when, in April, 1861, he of- fered his services to the government, becoming a member of the Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Regiment, he being the second to enroll his name in that county. After serving with that command for three months he reenlisted as a member of Company C, Fifty-fourth Ohio Regiment, and going south partici- pated in the battle of Shiloh. Later he joined Company A, First Ohio Cavalry, and served with that command until the close of hostilities, doing scouting and picket duty much of the time. He also served as a body guard to General Kilpatrick for a time. He was never absent from the field of duty and made a most creditable military record, being mustered out and honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1865.
Returning from the war, Mr. Blakemore went to his home in Fayette county, where he remained for a time, but in 1866, took up his abode in Iowa. In connection with a brother he purchased two hundred acres of wild land in Jef- ferson township, Taylor county, and through their united efforts they soon cleared the land and placed it under cultivation. From time to time they added to their landed possessions and at the end of three years divided their interests. Mr. Blakemore of this review then became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, on which he erected a good substantial residence, barns and other outbuildings and he likewise set out an orchard and made many substantial im- provements. He was there engaged in general farming and stock raising for a long period, his annual shipments of stock to the city markets bringing him a good income. In 1891, believing that he was justified in giving up the farm work, Mr. Blakemore sold his farming property and purchased three acres in Blockton, on which he erected a fine home, good barn and otherwise improved the place, making it a comfortable home, and he has since been classed among Blockton's retired residents.
It was on the 3d of July, 1872, in Indianapolis, Indiana, that Mr. Blakemore wedded Miss Anna Dodge, a native of Massachusetts, where she was reared and educated. She engaged in teaching in Indianapolis sometime prior to her mar- riage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blakemore were born three children: Fanny D., the wife of Oriel Morris, by whom she has a daughter, Helen, their home being in Des Moines; Amy P., the wife of George C. Hickenlooper, their home being with Mr. Blakemore; and W. H., a student in St. Joseph Medical College. Mrs. Blakemore is deceased, her death occurring August 3, 1891. She was a devoted Christian woman, being identified with the Presbyterian church in which she was an active worker and teacher in the Sunday-school.
Mr. Blakemore is a republican in politics and is prominent in Masonic circles, becoming a charter member of Platteville lodge but he is now identified with the lodge at Blockton. He has served as master in both organizations. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Having resided in Taylor county for forty-three years he has seen the district develop from an unim- proved section and has seen Blockton grow from a mere hamlet into a thriving and enterprising business center. He has, borne his full share in the work that has here been carried forward and takes a just pride in what has been accom-
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
plished. He is now surrounded with all the comforts of life and has many warm friends both in Blockton and other sections of Taylor county and all who know him have for him the highest praise and commendation.
B. F. BROWN.
B. F. Brown, who is familiarly known to many of his friends as Dock, a fact which indicates his personal popularity in the community, is one of the successful and ›stantial agriculturists of Taylor county, where for thirty years he has been closely identified with business interests as a farmer and car- penter. A native of Indiana, he was born in Wayne county on the 21st of June, 1847. a son of Jacob and Hannah Brown. When a little lad of five years he came to lowa with his parents, the family home being established in Madison county, and within its borders he was reared to manhood.
During the period of his youth he assisted his father in the arduous task of clearing land and opening up a new farm, and he continued to give his father the benefit of his aid until the latter's death, at which time he started in business for himself. Early in life he had learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed in connection with his agricultural pursuits, at the same time engaging in the manufacture of lumber as an employe in a sawmill. He was thus en- gaged up to the time of his marriage, after which he farmed in Madison county until 1879.
In that year Mr. Brown traded his property for one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, located in Marshall township Taylor county, only forty-five acres of which had been broken and put under cultivation. He erected a small frame house and good outbuildings and immediately set about the fur- ther development of his farm. Later he purchased an adjoining tract of eighty acres on section 2, so that his present farm consists of two hundred and forty acres on sections 2 and 3. Marshall township. As he has prospered he has in- troduced many improvements upon the place, remodeled the residence and added new barns, cribs and granaries. When the land came into his possession there was not a tree upon it, but now he has a beautiful grove and orchard of his own planting. His farm today, in its neat and attractive appearance, stands as a monument to his thrift and energy and is one of the valuable and desirable prop- erties of the township. Being naturally of a mechanical turn of mind, he and his sons devote considerable time to carpentering and all are also bricklayers and plasterers. He has carefully and wisely conducted his various business inter- ests and they all combine to make him one of the substantial and prosperous farmers and business men of the township.
On the 15th of February, 1866, in Madison county, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Sarah See, a native of Henry county, Iowa, who was reared in Madison county. They have three sons and two daughters. The sons all live near the old homestead and the eldest, M. E. Brown, is a carpenter, con- tractor and builder. Jacob F., is a bricklayer, carpenter and farmer, and Edson E .. is a carpenter, bricklayer and housemover. Dora C., the eldest child,
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
is the wife of W. H. Leno, a farmer of Adams county, while Lizzie L. Wedded E. T. Philpott, of Taylor county. Mrs. Brown and her children are all members of the Seventh Day Advent church, the teachings of which form the guiding in- fluence in their lives.
Mr. Brown's political allegiance has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He cast his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868 and since that time has suppor+ d every candi- date on that ticket with one exception. He was elected and serve 1 for eight con- secutive years as township trustee and acted as a member of the school board for some time, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. Having resided in Taylor county for thirty years, he has been a witness tits growth and development in many lines and has ever been ready to assume his full share in the work of improvement. Genial in disposition, he is familiarly called by his friends -- and they are legion-by the name of Dock, which was given to him when a child by a doctor during an epidemic of cholera. His strong and salient characteristics are such as endear him to all who come within the close circle of his friendship, while wherever he is known he is respected and honored.
GEORGE N. REED.
George N. Reed is well known as a prosperous and progressive farmer of Taylor county, owning one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 9, Grove township, but he is also well known in other connections, for he is the propa- gator of Yellow Dent corn which has gained favor in Iowa as well as in many other states of the Union. He was born in Marion county, Ohio, November 20, 1862, a son of James and Sarah Ann (Dodd) Reed. The former was a native of Delaware, whence he removed with his parents to Ohio, being reared in Marion county. He was married to Miss Sarah Ann Dodd, a native of Delaware, after which he took up his abode in Mahaska county, Iowa, in 1863. He farmed in that district for several years and then removed to Keokuk county, this state, where he followed similar pursuits, while still later he continued his journey west- ward, locating in Harlan county, Nebraska, where both he and his wife still re- side, being hale and hearty at the respective ages of seventy-six and seventy-four years.
George N. Reed, whose name introduces this record, accompanied his par- ents on their various removals in Iowa and acquired his education in the schools of Mahaska and Keokuk counties. He remained with his father until twenty years of age and a year later, on the 13th of September, 1883, was united in marriage to Miss Florence McFall, who was born and reared in Mahaska county and completed her education in the Oskaloosa schools, after which she followed teaching for some years prior to her marriage.
Following his marriage Mr. Reed located on a farm in Keokuk county, operat- ing rented land for several years. He worked earnestly and persistently and in course of years accumulated a sum of money which justified the purchase of land. He remained in Keokuk county until 1895, when he disposed of his farm-
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
ing property there and invested his money in one hundred and sixty acres lo- cated on section 9, Grove township, Taylor county. On this he erected a commo- dious two-story residence, a good barn, corn crib, machine shed, and other out- buildings, built fences, set out an orchard and now has a well improved prop- erty. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Dodge county, Minnesota, and another farm of one hundred and thirty-eight and a half acres in Anoka county, that state, both of which are well improved. In addition to the opera- tion of his home place he also cultivates eighty acres which he rents. For the past five years he has given much attention to the raising of seed corn-improving and breeding the well-known Yellow Dent corn. Its many good qualities have been tested and Mr. Reed has made exhibitions at various state and county fairs and his corn has won many premiums. He has also experimented with winter barley and has raised two crops annually with an average yield of about forty. bushels per acre. He also raises Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle and has held many public sales, his stock always bringing to him good prices.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed are the parents of four sons and two daughters, as follows : Sterling, who is married and resides in Idaho; Jesse, who operates one of his father's farms in Minnesota; Ernest, at home; Earl, who is attending school ; Alta, who is keeping house for her brother in Minnesota ; and Lois, who expects to become a professional nurse, pursuing her studies in Ainsworth Hospital at St. Joseph, Missouri. They also lost one son, who died in infancy.
Mr. Reed gives his political support to the men and measures whom he deems best qualified for office, regardless of party ties. He has served as a delegate to county conventions and for the past two years has filled the office of justice of the peace. Starting out in life empty-handed he has through his diligence and persistency of purpose and the assistance of his estimable wife worked his way upward until today he is the owner of three well improved farms. He has not only made a success of the occupation which he has made his life work but he is as well a valued citizen, ever studying out new methods and seeking to advance the agricultural interests of Taylor county and other sections of the state.
JAMES McDONALD.
The name of James McDonald is an honored one in Taylor county, not only because of the success which its owner has attained in the business world but also by reason of the high and honorable principles which have ever guided his actions towards his fellowmen. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Monroe county on the 24th of February, 1859, and is a son of Michael and Eliza- beth (Ludelow) McDonald. The father, who was born in Ireland, came with his parents to America at an early age and was reared in Canada. It was there he was married and four children were born, and he continued to make his home in that country, engaging in agricultural pursuits, until 1857. In that year he came to Iowa, locating in Monroe county, where he opened up a new farm and reared his family. There his death occurred in 1906, his wife having passed away about 1896. Their family consisted of seven sons and five daughters, all
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
of whom lived to years of maturity, while five sons and two daughters still sur- vive.
On his father's farm in Monroe county James McDonald was reared to man- hood, acquiring his education in the district schools near his home, and when a young man removed to Adams county, where he followed agricultural pur- suits for a number of years in the capacity of renter. Later he came to Taylor county, purchasing eighty acres of partially improved land in Holt township, to the further development and cultivation of which he directed his efforts for several years. He then purchased four hundred and forty acres on section 22, Grove township, of which he later sold two hundred acres, and on the remaining two hundred and forty acres he has continued to make his home to the present time, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. He has a comfortable and attractive residence, has erected two large barns and substantial outbuild- ings, and on the place there is also a fine machine house. Two large wells, operated by wind power, furnish an excellent supply of water, both for the use of the house and for watering stock, while the place is equipped with all of the con- veniences and accessories for facilitating farm labor. Here he carries on general farming, having made a close study of agriculture, and in connection therewith is a large stock dealer, raising and fattening from one to two carloads of cattle and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty hogs annually. He was also successfully engaged in raising Shropshire sheep for many years, and made a specialty of breeding good horses, selling a few very fine specimens each year. His stock was all of a high-grade and was well known throughout the surround- ing district, his product commanding excellent prices and ready sale upon the market. As a dealer in stock he became very successful, this branch becoming a very important factor in his business activities and proving a most profitable source of revenue, while in his careful and wise management of all of his vari- ous enterprises and in his industry, energy and perseverance, lay the secret of the gratifying degree of prosperity which he today enjoys.
On the 22d of January, 1883, in Adams county, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sullivan, a daughter of Timothy Sullivan, one of the early pioneer settlers of Jasper county, Iowa.
Unto them were born five children, namely: Edward, who is engaged in the- manufacture of brick in Oklahoma; Nora, who died at the age of twelve years; James, who assists in operating the home farm; Timothy, also at home; and Mary, who died at the age of three years. The mother of these children passed away in Taylor county, April 12, 1894, and Mr. McDonald was again married June 23, 1898, his second union being with Mary M. O'Connell, a daughter of J. J. O'Connell, of Holt township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Six children bless this marriage: Emmett, Paul, Nellie, Francis, Charles and Esther, all under the parental roof.
Politically Mr. McDonald gives stalwart support to the principles of the democratic party, but he has never aspired to public office as the reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon the conduct of his private business affairs. He has, however, been connected with the schools of the town- ship for a number of years and is at present serving as a member of the school board, doing all in his power to promote the standard of education in his locality.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
A native of the Hawkeye State, he has watched with interest the work of prog- ress and advancement which has been going on within its borders during the period over which his life record has extended and has witnessed the introduc- tion of many improvements which have served to promote the modern civiliza- tion that has so steadily but rapidly replaced the customs of pioneer days in this growing commonwealth. He can remember when the Creston & Hopkins branch of the railroad was built and as a boy of twelve carried water for the graders. He has seen Bedford emerge from villagehood and many of the finest farming properties in Taylor county developed from raw prairie lands, and in this work of transformation he has taken an active part, having, throughout the period of his residence here, been closely identified with the interests of the county, his influence ever being upon the side of progress, advancement and improvement. He is well known throughout the community, being popular with a large circle of warm friends, and his many excellent traits of character have made him honored and respected wherever known.
CLAYTON M. PASCHAL, M. D.
The medical profession of Taylor county finds a worthy and competent rep- resentative in Dr. Clayton M. Paschal, a physician and surgeon of Bedford. He was born in Louisa county, Iowa, September 13, 1854, and is one of the five children of Albert G. and Mary Jane (Getts) Paschal, both of whom were na- tives of Ohio. The former was a son of Joseph Paschal, who was likewise born in the Buckeye State and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of Iowa and for a considerable period devoted his life to the work of the ministry, doing everything in his power to advance the cause of the church during the period when Iowa was in its primitive development. He was also a member of the famous Graybeard Regiment at the time of the Civil war, acting as its chaplain. He died soon after the close of hostilities between the north and the south and his wife's death resulted from typhoid fever when she was about forty-five years of age. They had quite a large family, including Albert G. Paschal, who was reared in Ohio and followed farming in young man- hood. He came to Iowa in 1834 and located first near Burlington. In 1849, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he crossed the plains to that state in search of the precious metal and went through many of the experiences common to the miner in that formulative period of western history. In 1853 he returned to Iowa and took up a claim in Monroe and Lucas counties. There he was married and resided until 1871, when he removed to Melrose, where he engaged in banking and general merchandising, being thus connected with the financial and commercial interests of the town until his death, which occurred in 1900 when he was seventy-two years of age. He was a member of the board of supervisors and a man of considerable local influence and prominence. He wedded Mary Jane Getts, a daughter of Jacob Getts, who was a native of Penn- sylvania and was of German lineage. Her father became one of the early settlers of Ohio and subsequently was a pioneer in the eastern part of Iowa. He was an
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